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Wolves confirm Edwards has no structural damage in his knee, but he'll be out for at least a week

DENVER (AP) — Minnesota All-Star Anthony Edwards will be sidelined for at least one week with a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee, a diagnosis the Timberwolves formally announced Monday before Game 5 of their first-round NBA playoff series at Denver.

Edwards had an MRI exam that confirmed the absence of structural damage, a relief to the Timberwolves after Edwards' injury occurred in the second quarter of their Game 4 victory over the Nuggets. Still, his availability for the second round if they advance will be in question. The team called his status week to week, so Edwards would likely miss at least the beginning of the next series before he's cleared to return.

“With the two injuries we had in one game, it was as positive as you can get it,” guard Mike Conley told reporters after the team's pregame shootaround in Denver. ”Obviously we want him to get healthy. We want him to be recovered as quickly as he can, but his health is No. 1. He knows his body. When his body’s ready, he’s going to fight through it. We know if we can get out of the series, we’ll get him back."

Minnesota, which took a 3-1 lead on Denver in the series into Game 5, lost their other starting guard, Donte DiVincenzo, for the rest of the postseason and much of next season with a ruptured right Achilles tendon he suffered in the opening minutes of Game 4.

Edwards averaged 28.8 points in the regular season, third best in the NBA behind Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He missed 21 games this season, by far the most of his career, mostly to a right knee injury.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

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Cubs vs Padres Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 27

The Cubs (17-11) 10-game winning streak was snapped against the Dodgers and after coming off two straight losses, Chicago heads to San Diego (18-9) for a three-game series versus the Padres.

San Diego is 13-3 over the last 16 games and 5-3 in the past eight as the heaters started to cool down. The Padres lost its last game, 12-7, versus the Diamondbacks. San Diego has scored 23 runs in the last three games, but surrendered 24.

Chicago lost its last two games, 12-4 and 6-0, which came after scoring five or more runs in five straight. The Cubs have the second-most walks (26), batting .305 (3rd), and have 12 home runs (tied 3rd) over the last seven days (six games).

Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Cubs at Padres

  • Date: Monday, April 27 2026
  • Time: 9:40 PM EST
  • Site: Petco Park 
  • City: San Diego, CA
  • Network/Streaming: MLB TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Cubs at the Padres

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: San Diego Padres (-115), Chicago Cubs (-105)
  • Spread: Padres +1.5 (-182), Cubs -1.5 (+150)
  • Total: 7.5

Probable starting pitchers for Cubs at Padres

  • Monday's pitching matchup (April 27): Randy Vasquez vs. Matthew Boyd
  • Padres: Randy Vasquez

2026 stats: 28.2 IP, 2-0, 1.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 30 Ks, 8 BB

  • Cubs: Matthew Boyd

2026 Stats: 14.0 IP, 1-1, 5.79 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 22 Ks, 3 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not!

  • The Cubs’ Moises Ballesteros is hitting .397 with 23 hits and 40 total bases over 58 at-bats
  • The Cubs’ Michael Busch is hitting .214 with 22 hits and 25 strikeouts over 103 at-bats
  • The Padres’ Xander Bogaerts is hitting .278 with 27 hits and 41 total bases over 97 at-bats
  • The Padres’ Jake Croneworth is hitting .155 with 13 hits and 20 strikeouts over 84 at-bats

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cubs at Padres

  • The Cubs are 14-14 ATS this season
  • The Padres are 17-10 ATS this season, ranking fourth-best
  • The Cubs are 17-10-1 to the Over this season, ranking sixth-best
  • The Padres are 15-11-1 to the Under this season, ranking second-best

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Cubs and the Padres

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday's game between the Padres and the Cubs.

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Cubs on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Cubs at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 7.5

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
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Happy Birthday Willie Upshaw, Frank Catalanotto, and Chris Carpenter

CANADA - APRIL 17: Willie Upshaw (Photo by David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images

Former Jay first baseman Willie Upshaw turns 69 today.

Willie Upshaw was a rarity, a successful Rule 5 draft pick. We took him from the Yankees in 1978, who had drafted him in the 5th round in 1975. He quickly moved up through the minor leagues, but the Yankees had Chris Chambliss, who left after 1979 for the Braves. The Yankees cycled through first basemen until Don Mattingly took over in 1983.

Willie spent nine seasons with the Jays, establishing himself in 1983 when he hit .306/.373/.515 with 27 home runs and 104 RBI—his standout year. The following season saw his power slip to 19 home runs and a .278/.345/.464 line, marking the start of a decline in his performance. After 1987, Willie left the Jays and signed as a free agent with Cleveland.

He finished his career with 123 home runs, 528 RBI, and a .262/.335/.419 line. After his playing days, Willie managed the Bridgeport Bluefish, an independent league team, and he was the Giants’ first-base coach for a couple of seasons.

I often thought Upshaw was the start of a good run for the Jays at the position. Upshaw offered steady defence and reliable hitting. After him, Fred McGriff brought strong power, John Olerud contributed with remarkable on-base ability, and Carlos Delgado delivered impressive slugging. There was a little gap, and then came Edwin Encarnacion (at least part-time at first), and now Vladimir Guerrero.

Turning to other Jays birthdays today, Frank Catalanotto turns 52.

Frank was a 10th-round draft pick for the Tigers. He played three seasons with the Tigers before being included in a major trade to the Texas Rangers. In the trade, Frank moved to the Rangers alongside Alan Webb, Francisco Cordero, Bill Haselman, Gabe Kapler, and Justin Thompson, whileJuan Gonzalez, Danny Patterson, and Gregg Zaun were sent to the Tigers. After three seasons with the Rangers, Frank signed with the Jays as a free agent.

For us, he platooned with Reed Johnson in the outfield, forming a great pairing. From 2004 to 2007 with the Jays, Frank hit .299/.361/.445 with 29 home runs and 200 RBI, mainly facing right-handed pitchers. Both he and Johnson became fan favourites. After the 2007 season, Frank signed with the Rangers for 2008, then later played for the Brewers and the Mets. He also represented Italy in the World Baseball Classic.

  • Chris Carpenter (51) pitched six seasons for the Blue Jays, going 49-50 with a 4.83 ERA in 152 games (135 starts) before blowing out his shoulder. The Jays then wanted to take him off the 40-man roster. Carpenter found a new path with the Cardinals, who were willing to pay him as a major leaguer during his rehab. This move paid off for St. Louis: he won the Cy Young in 2005 and finished 2nd and 3rd in subsequent voting. Carpenter’s last major league appearance was in 2012, when he made three regular-season starts and pitched twice in the playoffs, taking losses in both games. He closed his career with a 144-94 record and a 3.76 ERA. Carpenter later gave a lovely eulogy for Roy Halladay at his funeral.
  • Bob MacDonald (61) was a lefty reliever for the Jays in 1991 and 1992. In 1991, he pitched 45 games with a 2.85 ERA. He earned a World Series ring in 1992, then signed with the Astros and later played for the Mariners, White Sox, Yankees, and Mets. Over 197 major league games, he posted a 4.34 ERA.
  • Pat Lennon (58) was a first-round draft pick by the Mariners in 1986. He played for our Triple-A team in 1998 and 1999 and spent parts of six major league seasons, though he totalled only 189 at-bats. I wanted to see Pat get a real chance in the majors. In the minors, he hit .291/.374/.480 with 187 home runs, including a standout season in Calgary, where he posted .329/.400/.531 for the Cannons while I had season tickets. Unfortunately, with Ken Griffey and Jay Buhner occupying the Mariners’ outfield, Pat’s opportunities were limited. Timing kept him from a bigger role.
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MLB Power Rankings: Braves take over the top spot, Cubs surge after 10-game win streak

Featured in this week’s MLB Power Rankings, the Braves take over the top spot, Mason Miller keeps dominating in historic fashion, Cal Raleigh looks like himself again, and the Red Sox, Phillies, and Mets are all varying degrees of disaster as the calendar prepares to flip to May.

As a reminder, this article is a combination of current performance and long-term outlook.

Let’s get started!

Note: Rankings are from the morning of Monday, April 27

tolle_mpx.jpg
Fantasy baseball streaming starting pitchers and arsenal changes for Payton Tolle, Zack Wheeler, more
Eric Samulski lists his favorite streaming starts of the week and discusses some key pitch mix changes.

1) Atlanta Braves ⬆️

Last week: 2

Say hello to our new No. 1 team. After taking two out of three against the reeling Phillies over the weekend, the Braves are the first team in MLB to reach 20 wins this season. Atlanta also leads the majors in runs scored despite Ronald Acuña Jr. not playing his best so far. Michael Harris II is certainly doing his part to pick up the slack.

2) Los Angeles Dodgers ⬇️

Last week: 1

The Dodgers sliding down to No. 2 is more of a statement on the Braves than anything else. Los Angeles ended the Cubs’ 10-game winning streak while outscoring them 18-4 between Saturday and Sunday. Shohei Ohtani slugged his first homer since April 12 as part of Sunday’s victory. Even the best player in the world struggles every now and again.

3) New York Yankees ⬆️

Last week: 4

The Yankees won eight straight before dropping Sunday’s series finale to the Astros. Cam Schlittler continues to look the part of an ace, posting a 1.77 ERA with a ridiculous 41/4 K/BB ratio in 35 2/3 innings across his six starts. Things are looking good here, especially as Gerrit Cole and Carlos Ródon inch ever closer to returning.

4) San Diego Padres ⬇️

Last week: 3

Mason Miller is now the owner of the longest scoreless streak in franchise history, moving past Cla Meredith. That it happened in Mexico City — in a series where the Padres and Diamondbacks combined for 29 runs in two games — makes it all the more impressive.

Miller is 6 2/3 innings behind Gregg Olson (1989-1990) for the longest scoreless streak by a reliever all-time. Who are we to doubt him at this point?

5) Chicago Cubs ⬆️

Last week: 11

Despite losing back-to-back games to the Dodgers, the Cubs make a huge leap this week after their 10-game winning streak. Seiya Suzuki homered in three straight games during the streak, and boasts a strong .305/.414/.525 batting line in 16 games since getting a late start on the season due to a sprained right knee.

6) Cincinnati Reds ⬆️

Last week: 8

If you drafted Sal Stewart in your fantasy baseball league, you are probably doing really well. The 22-year-old rookie leads the majors with 29 RBI, to go along with nine homers, seven steals, and a .291/.385/.602 batting line. The company he finds himself in is pretty special.

7) Tampa Bay Rays

Last week: 7

Some wondered how Junior Caminero would fare from a power perspective trading in hitter-friendly Steinbrenner Field for a return to The Trop this season. Looks pretty good to me.

After mashing 45 homers last year, Caminero has eight through 27 games this season. Perhaps most encouraging, he’s striking out less often and showing more patience at the plate. Positive signs of growth there.

8) Pittsburgh Pirates ⬇️

Last week: 6

Konnor Griffin hasn’t gone gangbusters on the league to begin his MLB tenure, but he notched back-to-back multi-hit games over the weekend, including his first major league homer on his 20th birthday.

The first of many.

9) Detroit Tigers ⬇️

Last week: 5

The Tigers are sputtering a bit, but the same can’t be said for Spencer Torkelson. He’s now homered in five straight games to tie the franchise record.

Marcus Thames was the last to do it in 2008, but so have Willie Horton (1969), Vic Wertz (1950), Hank Greenberg (1940), and Rudy York (1937).

Torkelson will attempt to set the franchise record on Tuesday against the Braves. The MLB record is eight straight, set by Ken Griffey Jr. (1993), Don Mattingly (1987), and Dale Long (1956).

10) Arizona Diamondbacks ⬇️

Last week: 9

Watch Nolan Arenado turn back the clock for this diving snag to close out a comeback victory against the Padres on Sunday in Mexico City.

Arenado has also turned it back at the plate recently, hitting .455 (15-for-33) over his last last nine games.

11) Seattle Mariners ⬆️

Last week: 13

“Big Dumper” is finally starting to look like last year’s version of himself. Cal Raleigh has slugged four homers over his last six games after having just two over his first 23 games. The party is over for opposing pitchers.

Side note: I can’t move past the Mariners without highlighting one of the weirdest plays I’ve seen, as Logan Gilbert caught a ball in his jersey but it was ruled as a hit.

The great thing about baseball is that even with it being a daily sport where there’s often 15 games a night, there’s still a god chance you’ll see something you’ve never seen before.

12) Milwaukee Brewers ⬇️

Last week: 10

Probably didn’t feel great for Red Sox fans to see what Kyle Harrison did on Sunday, as he racked up a career-high 12 strikeouts over six scoreless innings against the Pirates. The southpaw finds himself in some pretty legendary company to begin his time with the Brewers.

If there’s any reason to remain optimistic about the Brewers, it’s that they continue to find a way to refresh and remain successful.

13) Texas Rangers ⬆️

Last week: 15

Josh Jung’s career hasn’t progressed as hoped since his impressive rookie showing in 2023, mostly due to injury, but he’s showing some promising signs to begin the year. Since going hitless over his first four games, he’s slashing .378/.434/.689 with four homers, 14 RBI and a 10/7 K/BB ratio. The approach has been better and he’s seen a healthy jump in average exit velocity.

14) Cleveland Guardians ⬇️

Last week: 12

Not a great week for the Guardians, who dropped series to the Astros and the Blue Jays. We’ve known Cleveland to usually have one of the better bullpens in baseball, but their 4.55 ERA ranks 21st in the majors this season.

15) Athletics ⬆️

Last week: 19

It isn’t as flashy as his power exploits, but Nick Kurtz is doing something that only a couple of players in MLB history have done.

Now that Kurtz has the A’s franchise record, up next is the all-time list. Nick Johnson had a 17-game streak in 2003 while Barry Bonds reached 17 straight games in 2007 and 18 straight in 2002. That’s the list! I, for one, welcome our new OBP overlord.

16) St. Louis Cardinals ⬇️

Last week: 14

Four straight losses for the Cardinals, who take a slight fall in this week’s rankings. I don’t enjoy saying this, but it’s more likely they end up in the 20s than continue to hang out in this group.

17) Baltimore Orioles ⬆️

Last week: 18

Adley Rutschman has picked up where he left off since coming off the injured list, as he’s hit .412 (7-for-17) with three homers and eight RBI across four games.

18) Toronto Blue Jays ⬆️

Last week: 23

After giving up the game-tying homer to Miguel Rojas in Game 7 of the World Series last fall, Jeff Hoffman holds a rough 6.94 ERA to begin the year. The Blue Jays will give him a break from the closer role for now, relying on a committee led by Louie Varland. Speaking of Varland, he was involved in a pretty funny interaction with a fan recently.

19) Minnesota Twins ⬇️

Last week: 17

I noted my skepticism about the Twins a couple of weeks ago and here they are losers of nine out of their last 10 games. This is a lot more likely to be who they are moving forward.

20) Philadelphia Phillies ⬇️

Last week: 16

Zack Wheeler’s return was a positive development, but there’s very little else to feel good about right now. With their recent 10-game losing streak, the Phillies are tied with the Mets for the worst record in baseball. Who would have predicted that? This team is surely better than what they’ve shown, which is why I just can't drop them too far, but Rob Thomson might not last long enough to see it happen.

21) Miami Marlins

Last week: 21

Who is this man and what has he done with Liam Hicks? The 26-year-old backstop is breaking out in his second MLB season, as he’s slashing .314/.354/.523 with five homers and 24 RBI across 27 games. Only the Braves' Drake Baldwin (25) has driven in more runs among catchers. Meanwhile, only former Marlin Luis Arraez has struck out less often than Hicks in the early going.

22) San Francisco Giants ⬆️

Last week: 24

Jung Hoo Lee hit .571 (12-for-21) during the Giants’ six-game homestand. San Francisco went 4-2 against the Dodgers and the Marlins as they climb closer to the .500 mark. Up next are the scuffling Phillies.

23) Los Angels Angels ⬇️

Last week: 20

The Angels have lost seven out of their last eight games to slide down our rankings. There’s been some roster turnover as well, as Jordan Romano was designated for assignment over the weekend after a brief stint as the team’s closer. The 33-year-old reeled off four saves to begin the season, but he served up nine runs over his last five appearances before getting the boot.

24) Houston Astros ⬆️

Last week: 25

The Astros have the worst record in the American League while also scoring the most runs in the league. That’s hard to do. It’s a trying time for Astros fans, but at least they get to watch Yordan Alvarez on the daily. He's pretty much leading the league in everything.

25) New York Mets ⬆️

Last week: 26

Swept by the Rockies over the weekend, including a doubleheader in which they scored just one run over 18 innings on Sunday. The Mets have scored two runs or fewer in 14 out of their 28 games played this season, so it’s no surprise that they hold the worst record in the majors at the moment. Is it time for desperate measures?

26) Boston Red Sox ⬇️

Last week: 22

As bad as the Red Sox have been, it was still pretty stunning to see the Red Sox fire Alex Cora along with five coaches over the weekend. It’s not his fault how the roster was constructed or that the team didn’t re-sign Alex Bregman, but it’s not like Craig Breslow will suffer the consequences for that. At least right now. The most troubling thing is the environment which has been created in the move’s wake.

It’s a shame to see one of the most passionate fanbases in baseball be subjected to this level of dysfunction.

27) Washington Nationals

Last week: 27

It’s been a weird stretch for James Wood, who is hitting .196 over his last 13 games while also putting up a .934 OPS. How the heck is that possible, you may ask? Well, hitting five homers and walking 16 times definitely helps.

28) Kansas City Royals

Last week: 28

After going without a homer for his first 19 games, Jac Caglianone has two homers over his last five games, including this game-tying shot in the ninth inning during Sunday Night Baseball on Peacock and NBCSN.

We also saw Bobby Witt Jr.’s first homer of the season in this one. The Royals eventually won it with a walk-off shot from Lane Thomas in the 10th inning to cap off a sweep of the Angels. They might just be turning a corner.

29) Colorado Rockies

Last week: 29

The Rockies just pulled off a sweep of the Mets and their first doubleheader sweep on the road since way back in 2011, giving them 13 wins for the year. They didn’t reach 13 wins last year until June 12. Progress?

30) Chicago White Sox

Last week: 30

Weirdest first MLB homer of all-time? Weirdest first MLB homer of all-time.

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'Hard To Keep It Together': Kopitar Shares Appreciation For Kings Fans In The Closing Moments Of NHL Career

It's the end of the road for Anze Kopitar. After announcing that this season would be his last in September, being eliminated by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs made it official.

Two decades with the Los Angeles Kings and in the NHL, a pair of Stanley Cups, and he's grateful for every moment.

That includes the final moments of his NHL career when the clock was winding down in Game 4, and the fans at Crypto.com Arena were chanting his name. And around that time, he slowly started to realize that it was the end.

"It hit me about five, six minutes to go that this could be it," Kopitar said in his final media availability on Sunday. "For the last 20 years, I've never experienced that emotion. 'There's always a next year, there's always a next year,' and now it's done. So, it's hard to comprehend."

In the closing minutes of the contest, Kings fans began chanting, "Kopi, Kopi," and "Thank you, Kopi." 

The love that the Los Angeles faithful have shown to the Kings' captain has not been lost on Kopitar. In fact, their support is something that he'll cherish and remember forever.

'Kopi Never Cheats': Kempe Tears Up As Kopitar's Teammates Reflect On His Kings Career'Kopi Never Cheats': Kempe Tears Up As Kopitar's Teammates Reflect On His Kings CareerAnze Kopitar's teammates got emotional after the game when reflecting on his time with the Los Angeles Kings' organization. Here's what Adrian Kempe, Drew Doughty and Trevor Moore said of their longtime and well-respected captain.

"It was hard to keep it together, really," Kopitar told reporters about what it was like to hear the fans chanting his name.

"Being here for 20 years, more than half of my lifetime, it's extremely special. I really appreciate the fans; they've been behind me personally, they've been behind the team for all those years.

Family, Golf And F1 Races: Kings' Kopitar Reveals His Retirement PlansFamily, Golf And F1 Races: Kings' Kopitar Reveals His Retirement PlansWith just a sliver of the 2025-26 season and Anze Kopitar's NHL career remaining, the Los Angeles Kings captain was asked about his plans for retirement in a recent interview with Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

"I can truly say that they're probably one of the best fan bases in the entire league," Kopitar added.

The 38-year-old signs off with 1,628 regular-season and playoff games, scoring a total of 1,405 points in all those years of being one of the best pros in the sport.

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Wild's Mats Zuccarello, Yakov Trenin On The Ice For Practice Listed As 'Questionable'

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild (2-2) hit the ice for a practice before traveling for Game 5 against the Dallas Stars (2-2) in Dallas.

Minnesota evened the series with an overtime winner on Saturday after losing in double overtime in Game 3. It was a thriller to say the least.

The Wild did not practice on Sunday so this was the first practice since last game.

Mats Zuccarello, who has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, was on the ice to practice power play work.

“I think it’s a good sign," Wild head coach John Hynes said on Zuccarello practicing. "We’ll see how he felt and what his response is from that. But it is definitely a step in the right direction.”

Yakov Trenin was also on the ice for practice. He has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury.

“Trenny is the same," Hynes said. "It’s good that they both skated but they now have to see how they’re feeling. We’ll probably know more in the morning.”

It would be a nice addition for the Wild if they both come back, or if just one of them come back.

Minnnesota's power play has been struggling. Adding Zuccarello back to it would only help.

"He helps, for sure. You know, like I said he’s got a good mind for the game," Hynes said. "He’s a highly skilled player within the structure and you talk about different options, what are some of the things he sees or, you know a lot of times it’s little things. If he’s coming down in a certain situation, he moves his stick one way to look for this option. I think it’s more of the subtleties of it that I think he does, he talks about and sees as a player."

Hynes said that the two will be questionable to play in Game 5. He also said they were in Game 3 and both missed. He also said Zuccarello would be in Game 4 and he did not play either.

“I’d put them at questionable right now.”

But it is a positive that they both skated.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Recent Wild Stories

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- Wild's Mats Zuccarello, Yakov Trenin Out With Upper-Body Injuries.

- Stars' Top Center Remains Out Vs Wild For Next Two Games.

- Jesper Wallstedt Rewards Wild's Confidence In Game 1 Win.

- Wild's Vladimir Tarasenko Has Rediscovered His Scoring Prowess.

- Yakov Trenin Breaks Minnesota Wild Single-Season Hits Record.

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Pistons vs Magic Same-Game Parlay for Tonight's NBA Playoffs Game 4

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The Orlando Magic can put the No. 1-seeded Detroit Pistons on the ropes with another win tonight, and our Pistons vs. Magic predictions are happy to take the points with the Magic at home.

We break down why in our NBA picks and SGP predictions for Game 4 below.

Our best Pistons vs Magic SGP for Game 4

Wendell Carter Jr. has provided excellent numbers through the first three games of the series against the Detroit Pistons, averaging 11.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per contest. Carter scored 11+ points in 45 of 78 regular-season matchups, and he’s reached that total in two of three playoff games.

The Orlando Magic big man is an effective floor-spacer who can spread out Jalen Duren with his 3-point shooting ability. Carter has gone just 1-for-7 from deep in this series, but he’s due for positive regression in that department.

The Magic are finally healthy and rolling against a Pistons team that doesn’t have any answers for their size and shot-making abilities. I’ll take Orlando to cover as a small home dog.

Two of three games have gone Under in this series, and it's thanks to strong defensive efforts on both sides. The Magic and Pistons each rank in the Top 3 in defensive rating in the postseason.

Detroit finished second in that category in the regular season, while Orlando was 13th.

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Arizona big man Motiejus Krivas returning to the Wildcats after Final Four run

Arizona big man Motiejus Krivas is returning for the 2026-27 season, giving the Wildcats a key player from their Final Four run.

Arizona announced Krivas' return on Monday, less than a week after the departures of freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat for the NBA draft.

Krivas averaged 10.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots per game in 39 games last season after being limited to eight games in 2024-25 because of a foot injury.

The 7-foot-2 Lithuanian center shot 57% from the floor and 78% on free throws as the inside anchor to Arizona's first Final Four run since 2001. Opponents shot 7% worse from the floor and scored 14 fewer points per 100 possessions when Krivas was on the floor last season.

Arizona will lose seniors Jaden Bradley and Tobe Awaka, but versatile guard Ivan Kharchenkov is expected to return.

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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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Series Preview: Red Sox at Blue Jays

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 24: Toronto Blue Jays mascot Ace celebrates in the outfield after the Blue Jays defeated the Dodgers, 11-4, in Game One of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, October 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jon Blacker/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Well that sure was a weekend.

Back-to-back wins. Scoring 17 in 1 game. A Caleb Durbin home run. The coaching shuffle. Alex Cora out, Chad Tracy in.

And now the Red Sox are off to Toronto to play the Blue Jays in a Battle of AL East Disappointments.

The Jays realized their rotation wasn’t quite up to snuff in the World Series and added the best starter available, Dylan Cease, as a free agent. Through five starts all he’s done is is impress. He has two 12 strikeouts games already (44 total Ks), 14 walks, 19 hits, and has given up zero home runs in 25.2 innings. The bright side is he’s walking 12.6% of batters. But he’s striking out almost 40% of batters so, good luck out there. It’s almost a waste to send Ranger Suárez out to the mound against him. The Sox free agent pitching acquisition had a rough outing against the Yankees in a series that everyone hopes is the bottoming out point of the season. Suárez was excellent against Detroit, so hopefully he bounces right back.

Trea Yesavage burst onto the scene just before the playoffs started with a September 15th MLB debut. He then turned a lot of heads on a national scale. And then, as pitchers do, he got hurt. As the Jays have slumped, his rehab outings left something to be desired. In one start at Single A and one at Triple A he allowed 12 runs (10 earned) in 12 innings for an ERA of 9.00. He allowed 3 home runs and walked 7. But also struck out 16. So maybe he’s tuned up. But hopefully he needs a little time to get used to MLB again. Payton Tolle aka Mass Pike, is back for his second start of the year. In what may have been the deciding game for Alex Cora’s stay with the Red Sox, Tolle pitched brilliantly. Over 6.0 he struck out 11 Yankees. Let’s see what he can do as a next step.

The finale is a strange matchup: Max Scherzer and Brayan Bello are both entering this game with ERAs of at least 9.00. Scherzer has tossed 18.2 innings while allowing 20 runs. Bello 22 innings and 22 runs. Max has allowed 7 homers to Bello’s 8. Is this going to be a slugfest or a pitchers’ duel? Neither has gotten to face the under-performing lineups of the teams they are on. Entering the series the Sox and Jays are 4th and 5th, respectively, in runs scored in the AL East with 117 and 110. The Jays have allowed 133 runs to Boston’s 128 (or 93, 95, sometimes 1).

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting .340/.426/.460 with 2 home runs and 2 steals.

New third baseman Kazuma Okamoto has 5 homers and is slashing .229/.315/.406.

Postseason hero Ernie Clement is at .324/.330/.435 with no homers.

George Springer is on the IL as is catcher Alejandro Kirk.

Probable Pitching Matchups

Monday, April 27: Ranger Suárez (4.00 ERA / 4.08 FIP) vs. Dylan Cease (2.10 ERA / 1.47 FIP)

Tuesday, April 28: Payton Tolle (1.50 ERA / 2.15 FIP) vs. Trey Yesavage (— ERA / — FIP)

Wednesday, April 29: Brayan Bello (9.00 ERA / 8.29 FIP) vs. Max Scherzer (9.64 ERA / 8.40 FIP)

Well, looks like Mad Max won’t be pitching after all. Right now it’s listed as TBD but Bluebird Banter has a few thoughts on who might pitch.

When/Where to Watch

Monday, April 27: 7:07 PM on NESN

Saturday, April 25: 7:07 PM ET on NESN

Sunday, April 26: 3:07 PM ET on NESN

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Timberwolves vs Nuggets Win Probability for Game 5 at Prediction Markets

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The Minnesota Timberwolves are just one win away from knocking off the Denver Nuggets, but they'll have to do it without Anthony Edwards.

Our Timberwolves vs. Nuggets predictions and NBA picks think they'll pull it off on Monday, April 27.

Who will win Timberwolves vs Nuggets Game 5?

Timberwolves win probability:79% (-375)
Nuggets win probability:21% (+376)

With their backs against the wall and the series shifting back to Denver, it's no surprise the Nuggets have a 79% chance of winning Game 5.

Our prediction:Timberwolves to win

While the Nuggets are 11-point favorites and should be desperate with their backs up against the wall, anyone who has watched the last few games of this series can very clearly see the body language throughout Denver’s roster.

Frustration, anger, and wounded pride are no way to mount a comeback from a 3-1 series, and they may cost the Nuggets quicker than anyone expects.

Read more in Douglas Farmer's full Timberwolves vs. Nuggets predictions.

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Timberwolves vs Nuggets spread and total at prediction markets

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Nuggets -11.548¢ (+108)53¢ (-113)
Over 223.5 points52¢ (-108)49¢ (+104)

Our predictions:Nuggets -11.5 — No and Over 223.5 points — No

The Timberwolves are missing a big piece of their offense in Edwards, but their defense can draw this game out and turn it into a rock fight. That's the best chance Minnesota has of winning.

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Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts" which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Nuggets win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.

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In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.

Why should I wager on Timberwolves vs Nuggets at Kalshi?

Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:

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Red Sox vs. Blue Jays prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 27

The Boston Red Sox (11-17) open a three-game series against the Blue Jays (12-15) tonight north of the border in Toronto. They hope to build on the slight bit of momentum earned from back-to-back wins over the weekend in Baltimore. The Red Sox enter this matchup in fifth place in the AL East, attempting to climb back into contention after a surprisingly slow start to the 2026 season. Toronto, sitting just ahead in fourth, has shown similar inconsistency resulting in a 12-15 record overall, including an 8-7 mark at home. Both teams are desperate to start this series on a high note and establish dominance in a crowded AL East landscape.

 

Toronto holds an advantage on the mound as they start right-hander Dylan Cease. Cease has been dominant to start the season. He takes the ball with a 1-0 record, a 2.10 ERA, and an American League-leading 44 strikeouts over just 25.2 innings. The Blue Jays have won both of his previous home starts, and his high-strikeout ability makes him a formidable opponent for a Red Sox lineup that has been consistently inconsistent, ranking 27th in MLB with a .669 OPS.

 

The Red Sox will counter with left-hander Ranger Suarez, who brings a 1-2 record and a 4.00 ERA into the matchup. Much like Boston as a whole, Suarez has had an inconsistent start to his 2026 campaign, failing to complete five innings in three of his five starts, and will be tasked with slowing down a Blue Jays lineup that has performed better recently, going 5-5 in their last 10 games. Toronto has been effective against left-handed pitchers at home this season, batting .261, making this a challenging assignment for the lefty.

Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.

 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

 

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

 

Game Details and How to Watch: Red Sox vs. Blue Jays

  • Date: Monday, April 27, 2026
  • Time: 7:07PM EST
  • Site: Rogers Centre
  • City: Toronto, ON
  • Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, NESN, Sportsnet One

 

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

 

The Latest Odds: Red Sox vs. Blue Jays

The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Boston Red Sox (+113), Toronto Blue Jays (-136)
  • Spread: Red Sox +1.5 (-194), Blue Jays +1.5 (-194)
  • Total: 7.0 runs

 

Probable Starting Pitchers: Blue Jays vs. Red Sox

Pitching matchup for April 27:

  • Blue Jays: Dylan Cease
    Season Totals: 27.0 IP, 1-0, 2.10 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 44K, 24 BB
  • Red Sox: Ranger Suarez
    Season Totals: 25.2 IP, 1-2, 4.00 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 19K, 8 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Blue Jays vs. Red Sox

  • Vlad Guerrero’s 3 hits on Sunday upped his overall batting average to .340(fourth in MLB)
  • Kazuma Okamoto went 0-4 last night to snap a modest 2-game losing streak gaving gone 5-9 in his previous three games
  • Willson Contreras was 3-7 over the weekend against Baltimore
  • Roman Anthony is 2-18 over his last 6 games

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top Betting Trends & Insights: Blue Jays vs. Red Sox

  • The Blue Jays are 8-7 at home this season
  • The Red Sox are 6-9 on the road this season
  • The Red Sox are 9-19 on the Run Line this season
  • The Blue Jays are 10-17 on the Run Line this season
  • The OVER has cashed 15 times in Boston’s 28 games this season (15-13)
  • The OVER has cashed 14 times in the Jays’ 27 games this season (14-13)

 

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions: Blue Jays vs. Red Sox

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

 

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

 

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday’s game between the Blue Jays and the Red Sox:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Blue Jays on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning toward a play on the Blue Jays on the Run Line
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 7.0.

 

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

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AJ Dybantsa Writes Heartfelt Thank You Message to BYU

PROVO, UTAH - FEBRUARY 14: AJ Dybantsa #3 of the Brigham Young Cougars reacts after a teammate scored in the second half of a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Marriott Center on February 14, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After officially declaring for the NBA Draft last week, AJ Dybantsa published a long “thank you” message to BYU on his LinkedIn Monday.

Below is the full post:

“When I committed to BYU, I knew I was signing up for something bigger than basketball.

A lot of people questioned the decision. For me, the choice was simple. I wanted to go to the place that would best develop me as a basketball player and as a person. BYU was the program that gave me the clearest path to both.

The moment I stepped on campus, I knew I made the right call. T

his school welcomed me in, raised the standard for me, and made me a better person every single day I was there. From the coaching staff to the professors to the fans walking across campus, this is a community unlike any other in college sports.

Coach Young, thank you for trusting me with the keys to your program. You came to BYU with an NBA mind and a deep belief in what this place could become. You pushed me harder than I’ve ever been pushed, and you cared about me as a person before you cared about me as a player. I’ll carry the lessons you taught me for the rest of my life.

To my teammates, the bond we built this year goes way beyond basketball. The film sessions, the bus rides, the late nights in the gym, the conversations that had nothing to do with the game. Y’all are brothers for life. I’m rooting for every single one of you.

To Coug Nation, what y’all do for this program is special. The way fans show up for BYU basketball is unlike anything in the country. The kindness I felt walking around campus and the city of Provo, the families who treated me like one of their own, the kids who came up to me everywhere I went. That’s the part of this experience I’ll remember most.

I am proud to have worn the Y. I’m proud to have represented this university. I’m proud to be a Cougar for life.

The next chapter starts now, but BYU will always be a part of who I am.

Go Cougs.”

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The minor leaguers crushing the ball in the Cincinnati Reds system

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 19, 2026: Cam Collier #82 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a single during the sixth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 19, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

The month of April is nearing a close, and thanks to the rotating outfield situation at the big league level with the Cincinnati Reds we’ve been privy all month to the offensive force coming out of the AAA Louisville lineup. Rece Hinds got the call to take over RF from Noelvi Marte when the former was mashing so incredibly that the latter’s lack of production simply could not demand more patience.

All Marte has done since his demotion is hit .452/.500/.714 in 46 PA. He might get Hinds’ job back at some point soon, but he already got skipped over for JJ Bleday, who homered as a Red yesterday after hitting an absurd .341/.462/.659 for Louisville in 104 PA before his promotion.

In other words, balls are flying for the Louisville Bats this year, and we’ve seen a lot of the successes their pushed into the spotlight with the Reds. What we’ve not highlighted much here this year, though, is the best of the best offensively from the other levels of the system. So, we’re going to do a bit of that Farmers Only style today!

Chattanooga Lookouts (AA Southern League)

The Lookouts are 16-5 on the season thanks to an offense averaging a rock solid 5.9 runs per game and a league-best pitching staff’s 4.04 ERA. We’ll get to the pitchers some other time, though, as it’s the hitters we’re going to highlight here.

It’s a lineup featuring a trio of former 1st round picks as well as two other ranked prospects, so it should be this productive. Leading the charge, though, is Austin Hendrick, who’s been written off by most everyone due to his struggles with strikeouts. The former 1st rounder was old for being a high school draftee, though, and maybe it’s just taking him a bit more time to find his legs professionally as he’s old (25) for the AA level. Still, he’s hit .307/.373/.480 with 3 dingers so far this season, leading the team so far in hits, homers (tied), ribbies, slugging, and OPS.

Heating up next to him is Cam Collier, who owns a .304/.393/.565 line over the last 7 days to boost his overall season numbers to .263/.344/.475 (.819 OPS). He, too, has a trio of homers and the power looks back after last year’s wrist-induced outage.

Jay Allen II still has no pop, but owns a .355 OBP so far this season with Chattanooga. Carlos Jorge, meanwhile, missed about two weeks of action on the IL but a) is back and b) is hitting .316/.409/.368 in a small 44 PA sample so far.

Dayton Dragons (High-A Midwest League)

We simply cannot talk about the Dayton Dragons withough highlighting their hard-hitting catcher who owns an excellent eye at the plate. That’s right, folks, it’s Ryan McCrystal!

As Alfredo Duno is off to merely an OK start (no pop yet but a 17/20 BB/K and .375 OBP), it’s been his peer at the position, McCrystal, who’s been red hot at the plate. He owns an .888 OPS through 69 PA to lead the team, the former 9th rounder out of East Carolina getting time at both 1B and DH as well as behind the plate.

As for breakout prospects go, it could well be happening (again) for Carlos Sanchez. Ranked #26 in the system by MLB Pipeline, he hit .308/429/.449 (.878) for Class-A Daytona last year in 264 PA before being bumped up to Dayton, and he struggled relatively (.244/.320/.373 in 201 PA) after the promotion. He was just 20 then, is 21 now, and has blasted out of the gate hitting .329/.420/.429 through 81 PA while playing every game at shortstop so far. I don’t care what lens you look at that through, that’s a quality prospect in the making.

Daytona Tortugas (Class-A Florida State League)

The Florida State League (and Daytona’s home park, in particular) has a long-standing reputation as a pitcher’s paradise. So, naturally they’ve got a guy down there who’s hitting the ball with more authority (and results) than anyone in the minors right now.

That’s former 6th round pick Jacob Friend, of course!

Friend, a 23 year old Boston native who played ball at Davidson College, has exploded out of the gate hitting .333/.446/.767 witha 5 homers, 7 doubles, and a pair of triples through just 74 PA. He has just 20 hits all season, and 14 of them have gone for extra-bases. He’s also primarily a catcher, which means that right now Alfredo Duno is being lapped in the lower minors by not one, but two future potential journeymen at the position. Huzzah!

The Tugas are just 6-15 on the season and there aren’t a ton more highlights, but it’s worth a shoutout to Bernard Moon, at least. Redan High School in Stone Mountain, GA has had some pretty notable names come through it, the likes of Wally Joyner, Taj Bradley, Domonic Brown, and a guy by the name of Brandon Phillips who just went into the Reds Hall of Fame this weekend. It also produced Moon, a 2B/OF who has a .794 OPS so far this year that ranks 2nd to Friend in just about every category so far this season.

Because this is a hype piece, we are not going to talk about how badly Tyson Lewis has struggled with Daytona so far. Nope, we just are not going to do it.

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Where to watch New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers: Live stream, TV channel, odds for Monday, April 27

The New York Yankees (18-10) open a three-game series with the Texas Rangers (14-14). The New Yankees had an eight-game winning streak end on Sunday with a 7-4 loss to the Houston Astros. The Ranges lost 2-1 to the A’s on Sunday. Starting pitchers are Max Fried for New York, with a 2.40 ERA, and Jack Leiter for Texas, with a 4.97 ERA.

  • Date: Monday, April 27

  • Time: 8:05 p.m. ET / 5:05 p.m. PT

  • Where: Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX

  • TV Channels: Rangers Sports Network, YES

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Spread: Texas Rangers +1.5

  • Moneyline: Texas Rangers +145 (38.8%) / New York Yankees -180 (61.2%)

  • Over/Under: 8.0

New York Yankees: Max Fried (3-1, ERA: 2.40, K: 32, WHIP: 0.77)
Texas Rangers: Jack Leiter (1-1, ERA: 4.97, K: 29, WHIP: 1.46)

Weather: 64°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 40,000 | Roof: Retractable | Surface: Artificial Turf

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Former Canucks In 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Nikita Zadorov Fined For Cross-Checking

Nikita Zadorov's wallet has become lighter this week. The former Vancouver Canucks and current Boston Bruins defenceman was fined $5,000 for cross-checking Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin over the weekend. On the play, Zadorov was assessed a major penalty and received a game misconduct.

The Bruins are facing elimination heading into Game 5 of their first-round series against the Sabres. Despite splitting the first two games, Boston was outscored 9-2 in front of their home fans in Games 3 and 4. Over the first four games of the series, Zadorov has recorded one assist, 37 penalty minutes and is averaging 18:07 of ice time per game. 

Zadorov has been fined once before in the playoffs. That came in 2024, when he cross-checked Connor McDavid in Game 3 while with the Canucks. The fine in 2024 was also for $5,000. 

The Bruins will look to keep their season alive on Tuesday as they travel to Buffalo for Game 5. Boston already has a victory away from home, as they won 4-2 in Game 2. Game time for Game 5 is scheduled for 4:30 pm PT. 

Apr 26, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov (91) gets set for a face-off during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Apr 26, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov (91) gets set for a face-off during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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